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Good news, bad news

elvan
Member
0 20 17

The good news is that I am ALMOST finished baking and shopping.  I baked on Monday because I had a doctor’s appointment on Tuesday and I always bring a tray of goodies for her and her staff.  During my baking, I was also doing laundry and one piece of laundry was, shall we say reluctant to come out of the machine?  I leaned against the machine and pulled and heard that telltale crack I have heard before when a rib gave out.  I am left handed, it is on my left side.  It is incredibly painful since I already have nerve damage across that part of my ribcage from the lung surgery.  I am having a really hard time taking deep breaths but I am MAKING myself use the incentive spirometer.  I have sneezed twice since I broke the rib and nearly went into orbit because it MOVES.  The doc had me lay on the exam table and she said is it splintered like the time I broke a rib on the same side and it splintered through to the back so it is kind of like two really skinny ribs instead of one decent one.  It will take time to heal.  I did manage to get my shopping done the day after I broke it and my husband did all of the decorating of the baked goods and he delivered trays to all but one family I need to make another small batch for.  I am glad most of the work is over.  The worst time is the morning when I can’t sit up because I have nothing to grab a hold of…once I am upright it is a matter of not bending over because that does not work, I can feel the rib move and the pain is ridiculous.  I am planning to work tomorrow and Saturday but I will not do anything other than the register.  I usually wipe down tables and sweep floors after putting chairs up. That is not going to happen this week. 

I am choosing to concentrate on the good news…I am almost done wrapping too.  I should be able to enjoy the rest of the Season.  My youngest arrives Tuesday evening and I am looking forward to watching some Christmas movies with her.  I am making lasagna for Christmas dinner, not sure how many people are coming.  There are two people who were supposed to be out of town who are not going and they are both gluten free and I only have six chairs for my counter height table which will only seat six.  I suppose two people could sit at a lower table and bring their gluten free food.  YIKES!

Hope everyone is enjoying the true magic of this season!

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About the Author
Retired RN, worked ICU/ER developed RA in early 90's, unable to work because of brittle bones from high dose steroids. Diagnosed with COPD 5 yrs ago but sure it was there and progressing long before. Live with severe chronic pain, degenerative disc disease, had both upper lobes of my lungs removed in 2015. Struggle with shortness of breath. Work in son's cafe as a cashier 2 days a week to be around people. I am a people/animal person. Lost my home and three cats in a fire on my ten month anniversary of quitting smoking. Never thought of smoking, knew it wouldn't help anything.